The Tech Apprentice program is the result of an innovative partnership between BATEC, TechBoston and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). The program places tech-talented high school students in the Boston area in a seven-week, paid internship opportunity at local companies. The high school juniors and seniors who are recruited and selected for the program are interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology. The Tech Apprentice experience is designed to engage students with advanced skills in an array of work-based learning opportunities within IT departments. This model has proven to be a win-win proposition for students and companies. Students gain a deeper understanding of the spectrum of IT careers and companies benefit from having tech-skilled interns who do real work that the companies need to get accomplished. Tech Apprentice success story video.

Over fifty Boston companies have hired Tech Apprentice students for summer internships across a diverse array of industries like financial services, healthcare, non-profit, higher education, media and information technology. Apple, BlueCross/Blue Shield, Boston College, UMass Boston, IBM, Microsoft, Verizon, Molecular and Xerox are just a few of the satisfied employers.

The primary goal the founding partners had for starting the Tech Apprentice program is to increase the pipeline of students who choose to pursue technical degrees. Over 350 students have participated since the program first launched in 2006. The TechBoston department of Boston Public Schools is tracking where the students go to college and the types of majors the Tech Apprentices pursue. TechBoston staff report the impressive statistic — 75% of the Tech Apprentices who have graduated high school are pursuing an IT-related degree.

BATEC was selected to participate in an NSF scale-project called Synergy and the BATEC team is currently exploring opportunities to scale this internship model at the community college level. BATEC is finial a guide to managing a Tech Apprentice Program for the high school level and team members are currently working on producing a similar guide for career service administrators working at community colleges.

How does it work?

Boston Private Industry Council’s Role	Student’s Role	Senior Executive’s Role
1. Recruit and screen high school students enrolled in IT classes in Boston.2. Provide no-fee referral service of candidates for placement and coordinate interviews.3. Host pre-placement workplace etiquette seminar to prepare Apprentices for the professional IT environment.4. Provide full-time support for managers and Tech Apprentices throughout the summer.	1. Submit resume and application; attend screening interview; if selected.2. Interview with companies seeking to hire a Tech Apprentice.3. If hired, commit to working 35 hours/week over the summer.4. Complete all tasks assigned by their supervisor.	1. Designate a workplace supervisor for the student; identify projects/role for intern.2. Workplace supervisor will select candidates for interviews; ONLY hire when there is a good fit.3. Arrange to pay the student $10/hour, 35 hours a week, for 7 weeks.4. Provide mentoring and advice to Tech Apprentices about pursuing a career in IT.